Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Muscat: Debutants Esteghlal Khouzestan will face perennial 2017 AFC Champions League knockout stage qualifiers Al Hilal in the first-leg of the Round of 16 at Seeb Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Esteghlal Khouzestan have been one of the surprise packages of the competition having progressed from Group B in their maiden appearance on the continent.
Al Hilal, meanwhile, are no strangers to this stage of the tournament and are participating in the last 16 for the ninth successive time.
When last facing Saudi opposition, Esteghlal Khouzestan won one and drew one against Al Fateh in the group stage while Al Hilal, who claimed the Saudi Arabian King’s Cup following a 3-2 win over Al Ahli on Friday, played out successive draws with Persepolis in their encounters with Iranian opponents.
Farshad Salarvand is available for Esteghlal Khouzestan after suspension as is Mohammed Al Burayk for Al Hilal.
Al Hilal will, however be without Abdullah Otayf and Mohammed Jahfali after the duo were yellow carded in the 4-3 Matchday Six victory over Al Rayyan.
Photo: AFC